Red and Green Kangaroo Paw

The red and green kangaroo paw has been the official floral emblem of Western Australia since 1960. The striking plant, which is scientifically described as Anigozanthos manglesii, grows low to the ground and exhibits long, broad leaves as well as dazzling green flowers, the bases of which are a deep red hue. Although the flowers of the red and green kangaroo paw are unscented, they are often visited by a number of different birds that can easily perch on their paw-shaped flowers to drink the nectar they contain. Those who wish to obtain the plant or its flowers in the wild are not legally able to do so in Australia without a license, since the species is protected by law. Images of the red and green kangaroo paw, however, commonly appear on a wide range of government publications and commercial items.